In this episode, we chat with an Irish expat living in Colombia about the joys and challenges of life abroad. From cultural differences to language barriers, acculturation, and the digital nomad lifestyle, we explore what it truly means to adapt to a new country. Whether you're considering a move or just curious about expat life, this conversation is packed with insights and advice!

Thanks to Jerome for being such a great guest!!!

Alexis : https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/9464070
Jerome: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/4075458

Hey Alexis!

From Ireland to Colombia: Embracing Life Abroad

🎙️ 1. Let’s Listen – Can You Hear the Difference?

First, let’s listen to these three words:

자다 (to sleep)
차다 (to kick)
짜다 (to be salty)

Now, let’s pronounce them slowly one more time:
자–다 / 차–다 / 짜–다

Can you hear the difference?

The key difference lies in the intensity of the sound and the movement of the mouth.

🧠 2. The Pronunciation Principle – What’s Going On?

Let’s break it down:

ㅈ (j) – Voiced sound
Your lips and tongue lightly touch, and then the sound is released softly.
You don’t blow out air forcefully.
👉 Examples: jada (to sleep), juiceu (juice), jihacheol (subway)

ㅊ (ch) – Aspirated sound
The tongue blocks the airflow, and then strong air bursts out as the sound is released.
👉 Examples: chada (to kick), chima (skirt), chokollit (chocolate)

ㅉ (jj) – Tense (fortis) sound
It’s much tighter and stronger than ㅈ.
You need to slightly tense your vocal cords and use more pressure with your lips and tongue.
👉 Examples: jjada (salty), jjok (side), jjigae (stew)

📌 In short:
ㅈ – Normal
ㅊ – Strong and breathy
ㅉ – Very tense and tight

💡 3. Pronunciation Practice – Repeat After Me

Let’s try these sets of words together. Repeat after me:

자 / 차 / 짜
조 / 초 / 쪼
줄 / 출 / 쭐

The more you practice,
the more your mouth and ears will get used to the differences!

If you’d like, I can also provide an audio version of this script, or help you record practice drills. Let me know!

한국어 발음 연습

한국어 ㅈ / ㅊ / ㅉ 발음 

Welcome back to another exciting episode of ‘Insights to Learning English’! I'm your host, Ann, and today we're diving headfirst into the fascinating world of English language learning. Whether you're a beginner looking to improve your fluency or an advanced learner striving for perfection, this episode has something valuable in store for you.

In this episode, we're going to talk about five different parts that will help you get better at English. We'll start by discussing the difference between active and passive learning and share some tricks to make learning English more exciting.

Then, we'll look closely at a very effective technique called "The Army Method" for learning grammar structures and fixing your mistakes. It’s a method that can change the way you approach language learning. 

But that's not all! We'll also discuss the necessary skill of training your ears to understand various accents and dialects, allowing you to connect with English speakers from around the globe. Plus, we'll discover the often-overlooked practice of training your mouth muscles through reading aloud, unlocking a world of pronunciation, fluency, and confidence.

Finally, we'll tackle the tricky skill of spontaneous speaking with exercises designed to sharpen your on-the-spot conversational skills. Whether you're studying English for business, travel, or personal growth, these segments are packed with practical tips and insights that will speed up your language-learning journey.

So, fasten your seatbelts! It's time to go on a fun journey through the world of English language learning! Let's get started.


Sensei Ann

Effective English Learning Techniques Part I

Viajemos juntos a la ciudad de la luz o del amor; como quieras llamarle ésta ciudad de enamorará.

Viajando con Facundo

París: un encuentro con la ciudad de la luz

Practice here.
https://www.azumiism.com/2022/03/japanese-learning/lets-practice-japanese-pronunciation-with-scripts/#item2

Reviewing Japanese Grammar via Genki1

Let's Review Lesson 4, Genki 1

Episode Translation: Lost On The Train

How to ask for directions at a train station and other transportation vocabulary. (Beginner A2 - Intermediate B1)

In this episode I talk about the time I got lost in a train station in Japan on my way to the Hello Kitty theme park (Sanrio Puroland). 

Vocabulary List:
perderse (to get lost)
tren (train)
Japón (Japan)
disculpe (excuse me)
estación (station)
pasar (to pass)
encontrar (to find)
entrar (to enter)
plataforma (platform)
llegar (to arrive)
necesitar (to need)
tomar (to take)
linea (line)
perdido (lost)
despues (after)
caminar (to walk)
subirse (to get on)
destino (destination)
deber (should)
bajarse (to get off)
central (center)
parada (stop)
siguiente (next)
parque tematico (theme park)
salir (to exit)
ahora (now)
regresar (to return)
tres cuartos (three fourths)

Las Aventuras De Miss Jacy

Perdida En El Tren

There's no reason for you to hold yourself back when you're not sure whether you're fluent already or not! Give it a try and talk with some other people next time you hear foreigner converse in English. Also, don't forget to listen to these 5 benefits of speaking in English in this podcast episode! See you in my online classroom. ^^

All About English and How You Learn It!

5 Benefits of Trying to Speak Your Foreign Language

In today's podcast, we will learn how to answer the most common topic in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test; talking all about an event (something you did). David will guide you through why this question is so popular, and how you should plan your answer to get the best possible score. You will also learn some great phrases that you can use in ANY event question. 

Learn English with Cambridge David

What are the most popular topics in IELTS Speaking Part 2 (the long turn)?

EL TRABAJO DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE UN PADRE CON SU HIJO.